Murder charge: teen in court

THE teenager who has been charged with the murder of Patricia Fort appeared before Solihull magistrates on Wednesday.

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THE teenager who has been charged with the murder of Patricia Fort appeared before Solihull magistrates on Wednesday.

The 57-year-old woman was found at her Castle Bromwich home in the early hours of Monday - it is believed that she had been stabbed.

Emergency service rushed to the scene and although paramedics battled to save Mrs Fort's life, she died a short while after arriving at Heartlands Hospital.

Jamie Fort, who lived at the same address in Lanchester Drive and is thought to be her son, was arrested by police and formally charged with her murder on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old appeared in court only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

For the past few days the terraced house where Mrs Fort was found has been the subject of a police forensic investigation.

The property was cordoned off and a scene-of-crime tent erected outside while experts carried out their search.

Neighbours remain shocked that a crime of this nature could have taken place in the heart of their community.

Mark Caine, who lives yards from Mrs Fort's home, said: "I didn't hear about it until a while after it had happened, but I really am shocked by the news.

"It's a quiet area and I don't think anyone expected something like this to happen on our doorstep."

West Midlands Ambulance Service have confirmed that they attended the scene at around 3.25am.

Jamie Fort was remanded in custody until August 12 when there will be a preliminary hearing at Warwick Crown Court.

* The murder of Patricia Fort follows the death of 30-year-old Emma Bradshaw in May this year. She was stabbed to death on Berkeley Road in Shirley and Karla Biddle, 31, was arrested on suspicion of her murder.

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